217- Brainstorming

What is Brainstorming?

• Group method to rapidly generate ideas for solving a problem.
• Typically involves participants sharing thoughts aloud in a session.

Common Approach: Free-for-All

• Participants shout out ideas as they occur.
• Most frequently used format in meetings & workshops.

Problems with Free-for-All

• Chaotic flow; hard to manage discussion.
• Dominant voices can overshadow quieter participants.
• Can devolve into debates (e.g., button placement example) rather than idea generation.
• Requires a highly supportive environment to be effective.

Alternative Techniques

• Quiet Writing
  • Give everyone \approx 5\text{ min} to jot ideas on index cards or sticky notes.
  • Ensures equal input before open discussion.
• Round-Robin / Token Passing
  • Pass a physical token (bottle cap, coaster, etc.).
  • Only the holder may speak, preventing interruptions.

Best Practices for Effective Brainstorming

• Guarantee every participant the opportunity to contribute.
• Use structured methods (Quiet Writing, Round-Robin) when group dynamics risk imbalance.
• Avoid sessions where a single person dominates; otherwise, conduct a one-way presentation instead of a brainstorm.